Truman didn't back away

Harry Truman made any number of tough, historically important decisions as president.

One that comes to mind right now was his decision, overriding strong political pressure, to immediately recognize the state of Israel when that nation declared its independence 60 years ago this week.

The nation had – still has – a crucial interest in oil from the Middle East. The more prudent path, most of Truman’s advisers argued, would have been to avoid a conflict with Arab nations determined to not let Israel survive. From Truman onward, American support has been crucial for that country, which remains the only stable democracy in the Middle East. Truman weighed competing interests – the advancement of democracy, America’s growing need for oil, justice for the Jewish people – and once he came to a conclusion, he didn’t shirk his responsibilities.